1. Ali has carefully formulated a strategy for bequests across Providence's 10 Oregon foundations and brought along her colleagues to recognize the power of bequests, which will lay a firm foundation for future fundraising and has raised the bar for making asks.
2. Ali built a successful advisor advocate program through "Breakthroughs Over Breakfast," a program for financial advisors.
3. She received multiple awards and recognitions during her time at the American Cancer Society.
4. Ali has held multiple volunteer positions with the Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable, including a stint as Vice President.
1. How did you get into health care philanthropy?
Shortly after graduate school I was hired by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and spent the majority of my time there as the director of estate and gift planning. While at ACS I saw first-hand the role our local hospital partners played and still play in cancer prevention and early detection. I also saw the impact their donors were making in our community around access to care and was interested in working on the healthcare side of disease prevention.
2. Why did you choose to make health care philanthropy your career?
I believe health care is a human right and it is my passion to make quality health care more accessible in communities across Oregon and beyond. I continue to choose a career in health care philanthropy, every day, because I see our most vulnerable patients living healthier, happier lives because the difference philanthropy makes in their healthcare experience.
3. Tell us about a pivot point or crucial step in your career journey.
I was a Community Relationship Manager at the American Cancer Society (ACS) managing volunteer-driven events and naturally excelled at managing donor relationships and gift conversations. When a position at ACS’s national home office became available in gift planning, I applied and was hired. Although there was a steep learning curve, I immersed myself in “all things planned giving” getting up to speed on estate planning laws, gifting strategies and built an amazing network of estate planning professionals.
4. What was your first job, and what is something it taught you?
My first job was in high school working as a hostess at a local seafood restaurant. This experience was invaluable in my early development. I learned two simple tips that I’ve kept with me throughout my career: always make your boss look good and do everything in your ability to make the customer happy. Along with many other life lessons I learned that I love to work hard!
5. What are your future aspirations?
There are so many opportunities in health care philanthropy and it is my goal to always be growing and moving forward. In the near future, I am interested in leveraging my technical skills in closing more current six and seven figure gifts.